Kosovo/Aid for Trade 2

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

According to the latest statistics unemployment rate in Kosovo is approximately 30%, womens' unemployment is around 40%, and youth unemployment over 50%. Trade deficit is a big problem for Kosovo, and revenues consist largely on donor aid and diaspora remittances. There is no sustainable base for economic growth. The UNDP project Aid for Trade 2 aims at job creation especially for women and youth by developing employment and education policies and supporting central and municipal level institutions in designing and implementation of private sector policies. Private sector development and income generation will be enhanced, and emphasis is laid on products and services which are demanded by domestic and export markets. The project aims at increasing domestic production, substitution of imports, and increase of exports. Phase II of the project will be funded with 950 000 euros in 2015-2017. As a result of the first phase of the project the capacities in the Ministry of trade and industry of Kosovo have been improved, sectoral analyses have been produced as a basis for decision-making, and private sector representatives have been trained and supported. The mid-term review report recommends further suppor to the project. The project second is planned to be funded with 950 000 euros in 2015-2017.